Are Bose Speakers worth the money???

Mark Morrow · 07-12-2005, 01:42 PM

Interesting thread

I've never owned a set of Bose speakers for several reasons:

1.) I refuse to buy any speaker that lacks documentation detailing even the most rudimentary of speaker specs: frequency range, sensitivity, etc.

2.) My aunt wanted to buy her husband some great speakers about 4 years ago. She took me with her as an advisor, but she was pretty sold on getting Bose speakers. I relented only because the geniuses at Best Buy sold her two 701s for the price of one ( they had the price marked incorrectly, but honored it anyway ). Long of the short is, these speakers sound HORRIBLE. They are utterly useless for HT and sound marginal at best when playing stereo music through them. They are muddy, or as someone earlier in this thread said, " no highs, no lows, must be Bose ". My uncle is always amazed when watching movies at my place: he always asks " why doesn't MY HT sound like this??" I'm not here to bash Bose, but these 701 speakers are truly the worst I've ever heard. I have a 17 year old pair of Pioneer, 4-way towers ( monsters to be sure ) that sound stunning. People are always commenting on how clear and crisp they sound and how full they are. ( These speakers are so good, I don't even need a subwoofer for HT. The scene in LOTR:FOTR where Sauron "explodes" and sends an energy wave across the battlefield rattles my windows and shakes my walls. )

3.) Bose are WAY overpriced. As many others have commented, you can get a kick-ass HT system for LESS than an Accoustimass system.

jpchleapas · 07-17-2005, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teddysjam

I was going to buy 5 single cube speakers for $200 off of Ebay. Then I need to buy the subwoofer. Once I have the subwoofer how do I run the speakers can I use any reciever of does it have to be a bose? I want to run the system through my direct tv.

My friend was an engineer at Bose, or Blows as he used to call it. How many high end stereo stores have Bose on display? They offer very little to the audiophile community. Bose are to speakers what Monster is to cables. Both are overpriced. I have heard many Bose speakers over the years. Let them stick with car audio, and the Wave radio. Leave home audio and home theater to real speakers. Me, I am the only person I know of running a pair of 6' tall 2-way JBL 4675C. The only difference is I am running TAD td-4001 2" compression drivers in my 2360A 31" x 31" biradial horns. These speakers were designed for large movie theaters. I have a 1.8 wpc pair of 45 vacuum tube mono block amplifiers for the high frequency and mid-range horns. I use a pair of 8 wpc 300b mono blocks for my bass bins. When I need more power in my bass bins I have a pair of 35 wpc Klimo Kent EL34 push pull mono block tube amps. My 60" Sony looks kinda cool between these two 6' tall 2-way speakers. My goal when I get back to work is to buy the Fosgate vacuum tube surround processor/preamplifier. Then I will add a few more speakers for the rear channels. My twin 15' bass bins can shake the whole house.. Please don't spend a lot of money on Blows speakers. John C.
http://www.jblpro.com/pub/cinema/4675c.pdf

Cyberman · 07-18-2005, 05:01 AM

I have owned my Bose Acoustimass 5 Series 3, Bose VCS-10 center speaker, and Bose Model-100 surrounds since year 1997 and they have never let me down. I've gone through three receivers and all kinds of music and movies. The speakers sound crisp at low listening levels or at maximum volume level. At the highest level of volume it hurts the ears! It is not the top of the line Bose setup but it has gotten plenty of attention from others over the years. People have been wanting to buy my speakers. I've known someone who threw out his Infinitys for Bose. B&W is the only other brand, in my opinion, that I would consider buying. Other than that stick with Bose.

daleb · 07-18-2005, 02:01 PM

To me the choices of Bose and B&W is like comparing Ford and Mercedes. No offense, because Ford has made some fine cars too.
Even that's not a totally fair analogy, because some might think you need to spend a lot more to get something 'better'. The truth of the matter is that you don't in my opinion.

But there is no accounting for taste, it is strictly a personal thing. If you like what you hear, that's all that really matters.

boomr46 · 07-30-2005, 07:57 PM

I had an older Accoustimas 15 system which I used for several years and really liked. When I built my home theater I decided to go with it "for a while" as my wife had decided that bigger speakers were NOT an option.

I subsequently removed the AM base unit, added two more Bose double-cubes at the rear, the Bose center triple speaker above the screen, and two front 8" powered subs all driven by the terrific Yamaha RX-V2400. This system gives me great 7.2 sound. My icing on the cake is a Clark shaker system with it's own 250w amp mounted to my theater seating.

Siner · 07-30-2005, 08:32 PM

to each his own, to me they sound as if they are coming through a tunnel. Very tiny (without the AM Module).

But then I have only been listening to music for nigh (via high end systems) for about 50 years now.

miamivice55 · 09-19-2005, 03:44 AM

If comparing the two Bose can't hold there jockstrap !

iserum · 09-20-2005, 02:44 PM

most of the bose stuff is not more than few hundred dollars worth even their most expensive life style system, they have appeal to women mostly because they look cute and they are expensive people think it is expensive it has to be good, you will see no store keep bose speakers in the comparison room, it comes with no spec about freq. response, better speakers companies are coming up with slim speakers design that should push out of market but the thing is BOSE spend most of their money in marketing rather than product itself, so the competitor can't match the marketing of BOSE, i think store also get more margin on selling BOSE, since it does not cost BOSE to put better product than more profit margin could go to seller.
Infinity and Definitive technology have some very good sounding speakers (especially for plasmas) and their size are remarkably small specially Definitve tech super cube subs and mythos speakers, if you want to buy decent speakers you need to go to specialty shops not best buy and circuit city.

GREGinNH · 10-03-2005, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teddysjam

I was going to buy 5 single cube speakers for $200 off of Ebay. Then I need to buy the subwoofer. Once I have the subwoofer how do I run the speakers can I use any reciever of does it have to be a bose? I want to run the system through my direct tv.

In my humble opinion Bose are Awesome.
I just bought the AM 16 6.1 speaker system and it kicks butt.

It depends on what type of subwoofer you are looking at.
I had a Bose Lifestyle but had to get rid of it when i purchased a separate receiver(Onkyo 702) because the Sub on that was built for the lifestyle home theater system....it has a different type of connection on it.......

just my 2 cents

RSawdey · 10-03-2005, 04:29 PM

Bose equiptment uses non-standard interfaces so you're locked into only buying their stuff... you can't upgrade with generics, generally.

btufail · 10-05-2005, 12:07 PM

i've had the bose acoustimass 6 for 4 1/2 years now and am still pleased with the sound. and i don't even have that great of a receiver (jvc). but that doesn't mean i'm stuck on bose. infinity, jbl, polk audio, boston acoustics, and velodyne all make excellent speakers and speaker components. sometimes it's better to mix and match instead of going with all one system. it just depends on how many clams you're willing to shell out.

clutch · 10-15-2005, 11:47 PM

I just listened to Acoustimass 15 system at a local store. I was impressed with the sound quality.

Most of the negative comments are coming from guys that had a Bose system or listened to one decade ago. Anyone with recent listening or ownership experience with Bose Acoustimass 15 or 16 systems? I can get the discontinued 15 (3 drivers in the sub) for $850 online, plus an offer for 6th sat speaker ( 6.1 setup). I'm not sure what else you can get at this price range? Are you guys inferring that I can get a similar system for 1/2 the cost 1/3 the cost? any help would be appreciated.

iserum · 10-16-2005, 05:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clutch

I just listened to Acoustimass 15 system at a local store. I was impressed with the sound quality.

Most of the negative comments are coming from guys that had a Bose system or listened to one decade ago. Anyone with recent listening or ownership experience with Bose Acoustimass 15 or 16 systems? I can get the discontinued 15 (3 drivers in the sub) for $850 online, plus an offer for 6th sat speaker ( 6.1 setup). I'm not sure what else you can get at this price range? Are you guys inferring that I can get a similar system for 1/2 the cost 1/3 the cost? any help would be appreciated.

The problem with bose systemes are they are good sound quality for those who did not compare it with other speakers, if u look at bose spec (if they do anymore) these speakers only produce high frequency sound and bass module produces low frequency to mid range, you loose a big chunk of sound in between you can only realize it if you compared it with something else, the ironic part is people pay lot of money for BOSE stuff and they get crap. BOSE uses paper cone
for their speakers driver. do your self favor and try these infinity TSS 450 speakers for $330 and compare it with your BOSE system i can guarentee you will return your BOSE system and save yourself $500.
First thing you will notice is how good is the voice coming from center speakers that BOSE can not produce at all or at very low volume you have to crank up the volume to hear center speaker. here is the link to infinity speakers set.

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Infin...oductDetail.do

clutch · 10-17-2005, 12:01 AM

Thanks iserum. I'll check out the Infinity's this weekend. I don't mind spending $900 bucks, but I want to get the most bang for the buck. How about Definitive Tech ProCinema60? or Klipsch Cinema 6? both seem to be in the $999 price range. I found the Definitives for $750 on ebay. Thanks.

Petrol · 10-17-2005, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Are Bose Speakers worth the money???

No.

After much comparision shopping, I went with Klipsch Referance Series speakers...

RW12 sub
RB35 bookshelf mains
RC35 center

07-12-2005, 01:42 PM	#46
Mark Morrow I HEART HDTV Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 41	Bose vs. everything else Interesting thread I've never owned a set of Bose speakers for several reasons: 1.) I refuse to buy any speaker that lacks documentation detailing even the most rudimentary of speaker specs: frequency range, sensitivity, etc. 2.) My aunt wanted to buy her husband some great speakers about 4 years ago. She took me with her as an advisor, but she was pretty sold on getting Bose speakers. I relented only because the geniuses at Best Buy sold her two 701s for the price of one ( they had the price marked incorrectly, but honored it anyway ). Long of the short is, these speakers sound HORRIBLE. They are utterly useless for HT and sound marginal at best when playing stereo music through them. They are muddy, or as someone earlier in this thread said, " no highs, no lows, must be Bose ". My uncle is always amazed when watching movies at my place: he always asks " why doesn't MY HT sound like this??" I'm not here to bash Bose, but these 701 speakers are truly the worst I've ever heard. I have a 17 year old pair of Pioneer, 4-way towers ( monsters to be sure ) that sound stunning. People are always commenting on how clear and crisp they sound and how full they are. ( These speakers are so good, I don't even need a subwoofer for HT. The scene in LOTR:FOTR where Sauron "explodes" and sends an energy wave across the battlefield rattles my windows and shakes my walls. ) 3.) Bose are WAY overpriced. As many others have commented, you can get a kick-ass HT system for LESS than an Accoustimass system. __________________ Samsung HLN4365W DLP Pioneer VSX-D508 Motorola 6412 dual-tuner STB/Comcast Pioneer DV-363K DVD player Pioneer CS-T7000 tower speakers used in 5.1 surround system X Box Last edited by Mark Morrow; 07-12-2005 at 02:11 PM.

07-18-2005, 02:01 PM	#49
daleb High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Clovis, CA Posts: 7,351	To me the choices of Bose and B&W is like comparing Ford and Mercedes. No offense, because Ford has made some fine cars too. Even that's not a totally fair analogy, because some might think you need to spend a lot more to get something 'better'. The truth of the matter is that you don't in my opinion. But there is no accounting for taste, it is strictly a personal thing. If you like what you hear, that's all that really matters. __________________ Samsung PN50A650 plasma, Arcam AVR350, Dali Ikon6 (Vokal2&OnWalls), Outlaw Audio LFM-1EX sub, Anti-Mode 8033B, Oppo Digital BDP-83, Polk XM Tuner, Furman Elite power conditioner Last edited by daleb; 07-18-2005 at 02:04 PM.

07-30-2005, 08:32 PM	#51
Siner Been There, Seen That Join Date: Jul 2005 Age: 62 Posts: 8	to each his own, to me they sound as if they are coming through a tunnel. Very tiny (without the AM Module). But then I have only been listening to music for nigh (via high end systems) for about 50 years now. Last edited by Siner; 07-30-2005 at 08:33 PM. Reason: spelling

09-19-2005, 03:44 AM	#52
miamivice55 High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 131	cambridge vs bose If comparing the two Bose can't hold there jockstrap !

09-20-2005, 02:44 PM	#53
iserum High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 1,955	most of the bose stuff is not more than few hundred dollars worth even their most expensive life style system, they have appeal to women mostly because they look cute and they are expensive people think it is expensive it has to be good, you will see no store keep bose speakers in the comparison room, it comes with no spec about freq. response, better speakers companies are coming up with slim speakers design that should push out of market but the thing is BOSE spend most of their money in marketing rather than product itself, so the competitor can't match the marketing of BOSE, i think store also get more margin on selling BOSE, since it does not cost BOSE to put better product than more profit margin could go to seller. Infinity and Definitive technology have some very good sounding speakers (especially for plasmas) and their size are remarkably small specially Definitve tech super cube subs and mythos speakers, if you want to buy decent speakers you need to go to specialty shops not best buy and circuit city. __________________ Panasonic 50PX80U/Pioneer BDP-51FD /Toshiba HD A1/Tivo HD SAMSUNG LNT-4661F/ Pioneer BDP-51FD/Dell XPS, Nvidia 9500 GT SONY BRAVIA 40V2500/40 GB PS3, WII, Intel Core 2 Duo with Nvidia 6800 Yamaha RXV1700 Def. Tech. Mythos III, V & Gems, Super Cube III Harmony Remote One Power Conditioner: Belkin PF40 Last edited by iserum; 09-20-2005 at 02:46 PM.

07-18-2005, 05:01 AM	#48
Cyberman HD Heavensent Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: McAllen, TX Posts: 100	I have owned my Bose Acoustimass 5 Series 3, Bose VCS-10 center speaker, and Bose Model-100 surrounds since year 1997 and they have never let me down. I've gone through three receivers and all kinds of music and movies. The speakers sound crisp at low listening levels or at maximum volume level. At the highest level of volume it hurts the ears! It is not the top of the line Bose setup but it has gotten plenty of attention from others over the years. People have been wanting to buy my speakers. I've known someone who threw out his Infinitys for Bose. B&W is the only other brand, in my opinion, that I would consider buying. Other than that stick with Bose.

07-30-2005, 07:57 PM	#50
boomr46 I love my theater! Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Chicago NW Suburb Posts: 2	I had an older Accoustimas 15 system which I used for several years and really liked. When I built my home theater I decided to go with it "for a while" as my wife had decided that bigger speakers were NOT an option. I subsequently removed the AM base unit, added two more Bose double-cubes at the rear, the Bose center triple speaker above the screen, and two front 8" powered subs all driven by the terrific Yamaha RX-V2400. This system gives me great 7.2 sound. My icing on the cake is a Clark shaker system with it's own 250w amp mounted to my theater seating.

10-03-2005, 04:29 PM	#55
RSawdey Mr. Wizard Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Ferndale, Michigan Age: 61 Posts: 5,981	Bose equiptment uses non-standard interfaces so you're locked into only buying their stuff... you can't upgrade with generics, generally.

10-05-2005, 12:07 PM	#56
btufail hd+5.1=heaven Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: ohio Age: 38 Posts: 43	i've had the bose acoustimass 6 for 4 1/2 years now and am still pleased with the sound. and i don't even have that great of a receiver (jvc). but that doesn't mean i'm stuck on bose. infinity, jbl, polk audio, boston acoustics, and velodyne all make excellent speakers and speaker components. sometimes it's better to mix and match instead of going with all one system. it just depends on how many clams you're willing to shell out.

10-15-2005, 11:47 PM	#57
clutch How can anyone watch standard def? Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 15	I just listened to Acoustimass 15 system at a local store. I was impressed with the sound quality. Most of the negative comments are coming from guys that had a Bose system or listened to one decade ago. Anyone with recent listening or ownership experience with Bose Acoustimass 15 or 16 systems? I can get the discontinued 15 (3 drivers in the sub) for $850 online, plus an offer for 6th sat speaker ( 6.1 setup). I'm not sure what else you can get at this price range? Are you guys inferring that I can get a similar system for 1/2 the cost 1/3 the cost? any help would be appreciated.

10-17-2005, 12:01 AM	#59
clutch How can anyone watch standard def? Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 15	Thanks iserum. I'll check out the Infinity's this weekend. I don't mind spending $900 bucks, but I want to get the most bang for the buck. How about Definitive Tech ProCinema60? or Klipsch Cinema 6? both seem to be in the $999 price range. I found the Definitives for $750 on ebay. Thanks.